TexMessage: Ron Paul says Obama is stronger than some may think

Good morning, TexMessagers! On this date 44 years ago, boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused induction into the U.S. Army during a ceremony in Houston, citing religious reasons. As a result, his heavyweight title was taken from him.

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With all the bizarre political theater around us, I was reminded today of a piece of great theater: the Tony Award-winning drama Art (which is enjoying a brilliant revival at Signature Theatre in suburban Washington).

Yasmin Reza’s serious comedy probes the meaning of “what is art?” as three friends see their relationships unravel when one of them spends a small fortune to buy a painting that is a completely white canvas — and he can’t understand why the other two people don’t see what he sees in it.

I think of the Obama birth certificate controversy in much the same way. Some Americans see the 44th president as, pardon my comparison, a completely dark canvas. They see an illegitimate president installed by ACORN and the New Black Panthers, an alien (from Africa, Indonesia or outer space), a Socialist, Communist, Muslim or the anti-Christ.

Other Americans stare at that same Obama canvas and wonder what all the fuss is about.

Yesterday, President Obama finally (after three years of controversy) produced his original birth certificate, as demanded by the so-called “birther” movement. End of controversy? No.

Every morning, we offer Texas news you may not have heard and insights from the Washington bureau staff.

? RON PAUL: OBAMA IS WELL LIKED. During an interview on CNN’s “In the Arena” Tuesday night, Rep. Ron Paul said Haley Barbour may have dropped out of the Republican presidential race because President Obama is stronger than some believe. He said Obama is well liked and that that’s important in politics. More from Politico>>> ? RON PAUL: FEDERAL RESERVE NOT WELL LIKED. The Lake Jackson Republican, who chairs the House panel that oversees the Federal Reserve System, reacted negatively (and fiercely) to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s latest press conference. Paul says he wants a complete audit of the Fed — now more than ever. “Today’s staged press conference will not be enough to stop the growing demand for real Fed transparency, and I hope to build on that grassroots demand by passing legislation that will result in a true audit of the Fed’s activities,” he declared. More>>> ? JOHN CORNYN: CUT SPENDING, PROTECT EDUCATION. Texas Sen. John Cornyn said maintaining education funding, particularly grants for low-income students such as Pell Grants, is a top priority for him. He then pointed to the need to rein in federal spending and said everyone would have to sacrifice during budget cuts. Go San Angelo reports>>>

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Rep. Gene Green

? GENE GREEN: GOP BUDGET IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, wrote in a Chronicle op-ed that the House Republicans’ budget plan would be hazardous to the health of senior citizens and that it would not cut the deficit. More>>> ? BIKER BUSH A TRUE WARRIOR. PoliTex reports that the former president is in the middle of a three-day, 100K mountain bike ride across Big Bend National Park called the Warrior 100. The ride is in honor of wounded soldiers.More>>>

Responding to HeatherCaygle’s story about skyrocketing gas prices are hurting Obama’s popularity and his re-election prospects, George Dewey wrong on TxPotomac’s Facebook page:

It’s not just Owebama. Any of the bureaucrats who voted for TARP; who continue to vote for bailouts; who continue to subsidize oil companies and other giants like Monsanto and GE; who allowed BP to destroy our Eco system; who refuse to audit the Federal Reserve; who support endless wars; and who make it attractive for large companies to send jobs overseas, while holding down small and medium business… They are just as at fault. And so are the people who continue to vote for them.

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Texas Watch

TxPotomac lets you know what stories to look out for today — and later this week.

On Deck: Today

? Rep. Kevin Brady will host a questions and answer at the Lake Area Communities Coffee gathering.

? Brady will discuss how to “Grow the Economy: Spend Less-Owe Less” at the Conroe Economic Outlook Conference.